GoVibe V6 announced! - Page 14

Anyone has the Govibe V5s with OPA627s?? how does it compare with the AD8397/AD825 and LM6172/6171 combo??

I managed to lay hold of a 12V STEPS with an 18 AWG DC umbilical to power my Go-Vibe V6's (one with AD8397/AD825, one with AD8620/10). With the kind of really clean, quiet power from the STEPS, listening to my favorite music using a Go-Vibe V6 through a set of Yuin PK1's is a blissful experience. The open spatiousness of the sound is relaxing, and allows the subtleties of which the Go-Vibe V6's are capable to so enjoyably take their place within the abundant soundscape. With the 12V STEPS, the V6 with AD8397/825 comes alive with fully convincing and lifelike dynamics, space, timbres and textures as I hang out sonically with performing artists like Opeth, Bird York, Cowboy Junkies and Over The Rhine. The V6 with AD8620/10 can fully draw me in and transport me to otherworldly realms of sonic wonder conjured by the likes of Art of Noise, Delerium, Eat Static, Enigma and Enya. Feed those Go-Vibe V6's with the cleanest, quietest and path of least internal resistance power you can scrounge and reap the sonic rewards.

Wow. Can the PSU really change the sound that much???

I'm using a crappy power supply by the name of "Power Tech Plus"... hopefully its not crapping up my sound.

I only know how I hear things by experience. I can read the posts of others to get their descriptions of how they hear things. There are a substantial number of folks who have posted similar findings when putting investment into providing cleaner, quieter, lower internal resistance power to their audio gear. Each person has to decide what they can or want to invest in that direction, and if the sonic benefits gained are worth the investment to them. In using a STEPS to power the Go-Vibe V6, I have gone against the grain of Norm's mission with his Go-Vibe series - which is to provide inexpensive, cost-effective, portable sound quality for headphone listeners. A STEPS is neither inexpensive nor portable. I use my Go-Vibe V6 as a stationary amp at work all day, and I don't mind investing in better power for it, because I've come to think of a power upgrade as an audio component upgrade because of the size of the improvements that I enjoy from making a power investment.
I also enjoy seeing how good something as well-designed and simply built as the Go-Vibe V6 can sound if the audio path around it is improved. It's part of what makes this hobby fun for me. And, having provided power to my pair of Go-Vibe V6's from a 12V STEPS, it surely was fun to hear just how good they both sounded. I also listen to them both using a 9.6V NiMH battery, an Elpac 12V PSU and the Circuit Test 12V PSU that Norm sells. I'd hardly call any of these power sources "crappy", nor do I assess any of them to be "crapping up" the sound. Quite the contrary, I very much enjoy the sound from the Go-Vibe V6 with these power sources. I was just having fun seeing how good I could get the V6 to sound - and it sure sounded GOOD!!! For other folks like me who use the Go-Vibe V6 in a stationary manner for long periods of time and who wouldn't mind investing something in it to see how good it can get, a 12V STEPS is a very nice improvement, if one is so inclined. Everyone not so inclined can just ignore my post and continue to fully enjoy their Go-Vibe V6 using the inexpensive and more cost-effective power sources for which Norm has designed this amazing bang-for-buck headphone amp.

Sbulack! how would I go about getting a 12 volt STEPS? I presume they are made by a DIY builder?
Regards.

A STEPS is made by a DIY builder. So, you'd go about getting a 12 V STEPS by a) buying one used, b) finding a DIY builder who'd be willing to take on the fabrication job c) being the DIY builder and building it yourself (this is NOT recommended as a first-time DIY project, involving power and all) d) well, I'm sure that I haven't exhausted ALL the possibilities above...

The new V6 model has an aluminum case!! I ordered one of Norms Go Vibe 6M's yesterday, very nice! I think the only other amp of Norms to have aluminum casework of this size was the "Home-Vibe". Correct me if i'm wrong.

Thanks for the reply. I have a 24 volt Elpac that will work at home. I am planing a extended trip to the U.K to visit family, the Go-Vibe will be going with me. I think a home made battery pack (Two 9 volt) will be my best bet.

i've just bought a powerex 9.6v for my v6. before, i was using it on desktop without the battery; via an Ataba 12v 1000mA 23.7W AC/DC adaptor.

My question is:

1 - How many hours does it take to charge the battery?
2 - After a full charge, should i plug-off the adaptor? Could it cause damage on the amp or on the battery if it still stays as plugged? Or is it ok to use the amp via both the battery and the adaptor? When both is powered, is it only the adaptor which becomes activated?

thanks!

I have my GV6 with a battery in it plugged in all the time and it seems to be fine. So that should be ok.

Not sure about your first question...

thanks, fraseyboy. anyone who has an idea about the charge time?

anyone here know how to contact norm for a repair? been trying to find him.

How much does it cost? How long does the battery last? Where can I purchase it? Sorry, but I really don't feel like going through all 20+ pages of this thread. THANKS